Chile’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Chile and Hong Kong have begun the first round free trade agreement negotiations. In previous meetings, the two sides exchanged views and reached agreements on such issues as market access, health inspection and quarantine measures, investment mechanisms, financial services, and government procurement. Chile’s Secretary of International Economic Relations explained that these negotiations are part of a broader strategy to open up to new markets in Asia.

2. China has been hurt by Argentina’s import restrictions阿根廷限制进口最大的受害国是中国本文来源于《拉美贸易网》2012年02月03日

Argentina is among the countries with the highest incidences of trade protectionism, according to a report by Global Trade Alert. The report indicates that many countries are impacted by Argentina’s import restrictions. China has been affected 65 times; Thailand, 40; Indonesia, 39; Malaysia, 38; Singapore, 38; South Korea, 38; Vietnam, 37; Hong Kong, 35; Brazil and Pakistan, 31; North Korea, 29; Germany, 28; Italy and Spain, 27; USA, 25; and Uruguay, 24.

China’s labor force is shrinking as a result of the “one-child policy” and an ongoing preference for boys over girls. According to UN estimates, the number of women between ages 15 and 24 will decrease from 106 million in 2001 to 92 million in 2015. The increase in productivity of Chinese workers fails to keep up with increases in labor costs. Fluctuations in energy prices in recent years have also meant increases in transportation costs. Higher costs have forced some American manufacturers to shift their production to domestic manufacturing facilities. Others see Mexico as a good production location due to the country’s lower wages. The number of shipping containers into the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach Port last year decreased by 0.2%. Both ports process imports of Asian goods entering the United States. During first 11 months of last year, however, train and truck cargo from Mexico to the United States increased in weight by 8.7% over the previous year. Over the past year, share prices for certain Mexican transportation companies rose sharply.

4. Ecuadorian president participated in the opening of an Urban Safety Command and Control Center厄瓜多尔总统为中方承建报警中心揭幕本文来源于《新华网》2012年02月07日

The Safety Command and Control Center located in Guayaquil, Ecuador is one of South America’s most advanced state-level integrated command and control centers for alarm response. The center was designed and constructed by the China National Electronics Import and Export Corporation. China provided all necessary hardware and software for the facility.

5. Chavez said it’s “a very positive move” for China and Russia to veto UN resolution on Syria 查韦斯赞赏中俄投反对票 称是“非常正面的举动”本文来源于《新华网》2012年02月07日

A UN Security Council draft resolution on Syria failed to pass due to opposition from Russia and China. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez viewed the Chinese and Russian veto as very positive. He criticized western countries for having destroyed Syria through bombing and assassination attempts, labeling the West’s behavior “schizophrenic imperialism.”

According to data released by Chilean Customs, bilateral trade between China and Chile in 2011 totaled approximately $29 billion, an increase of 17.3% over the previous year. Chile exported $18.32 billion in goods to China and imported $10.71 billion in goods from China. China remains Chile’s largest trading partner, largest export destination, and second largest source of imports.

7. Wang Qishan will visit Brazil to attend the second meeting of the China-Brazil High-Level Committee王岐山将访问巴西并出席中巴高委会第二次会议本文来源于《拉美贸易网》2012年02月08日

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman announced on February 6 that the Vice Premier Wang Qishan will visit Brazil to attend the second meeting of the China-Brazil High-Level Coordination and Cooperation Committee. The meeting will be held from February 10-14, and will be hosted by Brazil’s Vice-President, Michel Temer. According to the spokesman, China hopes to facilitate and coordinate the role of bilateral cooperation in various fields and further develop the China-Brazil bilateral strategic partnership.

The Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan bought a $30 million Embraer private jet (Legacy 650). Embraer hopes to take advantage of Jackie Chan’s influence in the Chinese community to promote business opportunities in Asia, and especially in China. Embraer has received 13 orders from China for private jets since Chan’s purchase.

On February 9th, a shipping ceremony was held in Shanghai for a subway project in Buenos Aires run by Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. The subway trains are expected to arrive in Argentina by the end of April. This project was approved by President Hu Jintao during his 2004 visit to Argentina. Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd. has achieved a dominant position in South American market through its presence in Argentina and a separate Brazil project.

10. Venezuela will launch second satellite received from China委内瑞拉将发射第二颗中国制造卫星本文来源于《新华网》2012年02月11日

Chavez announced that the “Miranda” ground observation satellite will be launched around in October of 2012 with the help of fifty Venezuelan engineers who are traveling to China for satellite technology training. He added that the satellite would help Venezuela to better observe and address earthquakes, floods, heavy rain, desertification, and mining issues. The Miranda is the second satellite that China has manufactured for Venezuela. In October 2008, Venezuela received its first China-manufactured communications satellite, which it calls “Simón Bolívar”.